Everyone is encouraged to utilize the online service as it is available 24/7 directly to you, but if necessary, the information is also available through the township office. The fee of $2.00 per page must be paid prior to fax/email delivery, or paid at pick up during regular public hours.

For information on Land Divisions, Lot Merging and Homeowners Principal Residence Exemptions, contact the Assessing Office at 517-688-9223 ext. 216. You may leave a voice mail if calling after public hours.

TAX ESTIMATOR...

Now that you have received your Change of Assessment Notice are you curious what your 2015 tax bill might be? We have a link to a great tool that gives you an idea ahead of time and will estimate your property taxes. Just click on the Property Tax Estimator link below and follow the steps. Forms for Homeowners Principal Residence Exemptions and Property Transfer Affidavits are also available through links on the bottom of this page.

Property Reviews...

The Assessing Department will be updating property record cards throughout the township during the 2015 summer and fall season as part of the standard Assessing Administration process mandated by the State of Michigan. These visits will not necessarily increase your tax bill unless new structures/additions are discovered; usually caused by not obtaining proper permits. Some structures/additions may not require permits, but may still add value to your property, therefore requiring this update process for the township to remain in compliance with State Tax Commission guidelines.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jim Bradley, Somerset Township Assessor at the number listed above.

Assessor

Assessors are permitted to be appointed by the township board through state law MCL 41.61; however, the supervisor is the chief assessing officer of the township, responsible for the assessing function. Assessors are subordinate to the supervisor. The township board must employ an assessor certified at the proper level to perform the assessing functions and sign the assessment roll.

If no assessor is retained, the county tax or equalization department or the State Tax Commission shall perform the assessment functions and prepare the assessment roll at the township's expense.

Assessing
Assessing is the method used to determine how much taxpayers will pay in property taxes. Property taxes are charges to taxpayers for the costs of governmental programs and services that benefit the general public and to finance public improvements, such as a road project or new fire station.

Townships are assessing units. There are many local governmental units with the authority to levy taxes: townships, villages, cities, school districts, intermediate school districts, community colleges, district libraries, and special taxing authorities, such as downtown development authorities. However, there are only two governmental units with the authority to assess property: townships and cities. All taxable property within a township must be annually assessed by the township supervisor or other assessor (MCL 211.10) who is certified as qualified by the State Assessors Board. (MCL 211.10d) An overseeing system is the State Tax Commission’s AMAR review. Source: MTA